在肯塔基州谢尔比家中，有位叫做汤姆的黑奴。他是一位宗教信仰虔诚、心地又很善良的人，所以深得谢尔比家中上上下下的敬重和爱戴，尤其是主人谢尔比的儿子小乔冶，和汤姆叔叔的感情最好。但不幸的事终于降临在这原本平静和谐的家族。谢尔比经商失败后，可怜的汤姆就被当做抵押品，抵押给专门买卖奴隶的商人黑利，从此开始了他悲惨坎坷的一生。（In the home of Shelby in Kentucky, there was a black slave called Tom. He believed in religion and he was kind-hearted. Because of this, Tom was loved and respected by the Shelby family, in particular George, the son of Shelby. However, misfortune came down on this tranquil and peaceful family. Having failure in his business, the poor Tom was transferred to Haley, who did business in black slaves, as a pledge and started his difficult and misery life. ）